Monday, October 17, 2011

We All Must Stand The Best We Can!

It takes real guts to stand up and speak out. To stand and confront the might of repression. Here is USMC Sgt. Shamar Thomas, who is a 2 tour Iraq veteran, voicing his opinion and letting the brave paid mercenaries of the Banks swallow a little bit of his righteous rage yesterday in NYC!
Thomas comes from a long line of people who sacrifice for their country: Mother, Army Veteran (Iraq), Step father, Army, active duty (Afghanistan), Grand father, Air Force veteran (Vietnam), Great Grand Father Navy veteran (World War II).
This is a movement that defines itself hourly. Each day gives more focus and more strength and unity.
I totally support and have participated in the concept of National Bank Transfer Day. The date of November 5th is official day, but the idea is catching hold and people are taking action all over the word. It's simple. Take your money out of your bank if you have an account with one of the major financial institutions that are participating in the destructive financial practices and financing the repression we are experiencing. Transfer your money to a Credit Union, A Labor Bank. A bank or financial institution with your best interest and the interests of your community at heart. You empower these institutions and reinforce their positive ideas.
Moving your money to a smaller institution is much more than a simple act of [rotest, it is just plain good sense: 
"Credit unions are an alternative source for the kind of services a bank provides," said professor Lawrence White of New York's Stern School of Business. "I'm hoping they would see the unbanked as part of their mission. That would be the most socially worthwhile thing they could do."

Credit unions, which are effectively not-for-profit co-operatives, are stepping up to offer cheaper alternatives to the short-term, high-interest loans provided by payday lenders.

Demand for short-term, small-dollar loans from credit unions rose 52 percent in the second quarter, National Credit Union Administration data showed. More aggressive selling by these unions will have seen that rise further in the third quarter.
The big banks are already feeling the squeeze of people leaving and are beginning to react. The video below shows what occurred in the West Village Citibank Branch in NYC when people tried to close their accounts on Friday. 24 people were arrested and some were entrapped by the police who over zealously played their roles as defenders of the financial institutions. You can close your account on line in some cases. In some cases you can request the credit union to handle the paper work. In most cases, the best way is to do it yourself, in person. Remember, the employees of the bank are not your enemy, they are part of the 99% and are doing their job for a living wage so being aggressive with them is totally counter productive. They'll ask you why you want to withdraw
Just stick to your guns. Know where you want to transfer your money. It's your right. It's not a personal decision and don't let yourself feel guilty. They have to do it.
If you feel you have to let the CEO of the bank know why you are leaving, do it. It might make you feel better. Just don't write nasty things, be honest. Here's a list of email addresses of CEO's I found for you: Chase - jamie.dimon@jpmchase.com
BofA - brian.t.moynihan@bankofamerica.com
Wells Fargo - John.G.Stumpf@wellsfargo.com
Citibank - Vikram.Pandit@citi.com 

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